russia remains one of syria's strongest allies. >>> licenses for same-sex marriage are being issued in maryland now. just a few couples picked them up around the state but they have to wait till at least 12:01 on new year's day for the actual ceremony. karen and her partner of 29 years, this was a big milestone. >> so excited. i cannot believe this day is here. cannot believe it. been waiting for a long time. >> montgomery county's new marriage lrnlses will say party one and party two -- licenses will say party one and party two two. prince george's county's licenses won't be ready till next week. >>> an aide at the maryland school for the deaf in columbia is accused of inappropriately and touching -- inappropriately touching and kissing three students. the aide is in jail charged with three counts of alleged abuse. police are looking into the possibility there might be more victims. >>> the hunt continues for a man who sexually assaulted a motel clerk at an econo lodge in woodbridge, virginia. the man telephoned the clerk posing as a guest locked out of a room. when the clerk arrived